Planning Cost Estimator

Planning Cost EstimatorWe are seeking an experienced Planning Cost Estimator for a contract-to-hire opportunity supporting federal, Department of Defense (DoD), and facility planning projects nationwide. Candidates must be located near Atlanta, GA; Arlington, VA; or St. Louis, MO.This position will serve as a technical subject matter expert, developing conceptual and planning-level cost estimates for new construction, renovations, modernization, facility replacement, and capital investment projects.The ideal candidate will have extensive experience developing AACE Class 4 and Class 5 estimates, utilizing MII and PACES estimating systems, and supporting federal planning and programming requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and document AACE Class 4 and Class 5 conceptual cost estimates using limited project information and preliminary scope definitions.Prepare planning-level estimates for new construction, renovation, modernization, adaptive reuse, and facility replacement projects.Develop comparative cost estimates for alternative development scenarios, including renovation versus replacement analyses.Utilize MII and PACES estimating systems to develop cost estimates consistent with DoD and federal requirements.Support MILCON planning, DD Form 1391 documentation, Planning Charrette Reports (PCRs), economic analyses, and capital investment planning.Perform benchmarking, parametric analyses, and order-of-magnitude cost evaluations.Establish planning-level quantities, unit costs, allowances, contingencies, and escalation factors.Document estimating assumptions, methodologies, exclusions, risks, and confidence levels.Participate in planning charrettes, client workshops, stakeholder meetings, and facility assessments as the cost estimating subject matter expert.Collaborate with architects, engineers, facility planners, economists, military planners, and other project stakeholders.Review and refine estimates as project scopes and design information become more defined.Support mission beddown, mission relocation, and facility recapitalization studies.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Facilities Planning, Economics, Business, or a related field.Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in cost estimating, facility planning, engineering, construction management, or related disciplines.Demonstrated experience developing conceptual and planning-level facility and infrastructure cost estimates.Proven experience preparing AACE Class 4 and Class 5 estimates.Proficiency with MII (Micro-Computer Aided Cost Estimating System) and PACES (Parametric Cost Engineering System).Experience supporting federal, DoD, institutional, or large public-sector capital projects.Knowledge of MILCON estimating, DD Form 1391 documentation, and federal planning/programming requirements.Experience estimating renovation, replacement, modernization, recapitalization, and new construction projects.Ability to independently develop defensible cost estimates using limited project information.Strong analytical, technical documentation, and communication skills.Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and communicate cost estimating methodologies to clients and stakeholders.U.S. Citizenship required.Ability to travel nationwide as project requirements dictate.Travel RequirementsApproximately 10–40% nationwide travel, depending on project assignments.Travel to military installations, federal facilities, planning workshops, and client locations throughout the United States.Typical trips range from 2–5 days, with occasional assignments lasting 1–2 consecutive weeks.Must be available to travel on relatively short notice.